What volume of shooting warrants progressive press?

[Skip Sackett]

If I load more than 5 rounds in a year, I am going to have a progressive press on my bench, period. Why? Because I am a tool junkie and no other reason than that!

I gave up a long time ago trying to justify my hobby expenses. If I want something, I work extra, sell something I don't need or want anymore, and buy it.

THAT is how I ended up with 6 progressive presses. Sold a gun here, worked overtime there, did some government work for a friend over there, saved pennies here, and then I bought just what I wanted, not what I needed!

It's a hobby man, have fun, be safe!

 

[SMSgt]

When your single-stage press production can't keep up with ammo consumption, it's time for a progressive.

 

[DAB]

i only have a single stage RCBS press, and just got it set up again this week. my long term observation is i can do about 50 rounds and hour, starting with clean cases (still having the spent primers). resize/decap, clean primer pocket, bell mouth and reprime, charge with powder (have a powder measure), and seat bullet. this is using carbide dies for loads like 44 mag.

since i have time, this works just fine.

 

[novalty]

When your single-stage press production can't keep up with ammo consumption, it's time for a progressive.

But what if you don't have any equipment? How many times do you see someone post that they are looking to get into reloading?

 

[old&slow]

What I usually suggest to folks :
If you go thru 200 - 400 rounds a year, then a single stage press will probably be OK.
If you go thru 200 - 400 a month you should consider going with a progessive.

I've had my 550 since the mid to late 80's and wouldn't be without it. My RCBS is older than that. But only use it for the rifle stuff that I don't shoot much. Had a Lyman C press before that.

 

[CMD-KY]

Time was a consideration when I made the decision. I shoot around 400 rounds a month but don't have a great deal of extra time. The progressive, due to speed, was the answer for my needs.

 

[SMSgt]

But what if you don't have any equipment? How many times do you see someone post that they are looking to get into reloading?

I don't recommend learning to reload on a progressive. Some may, I don't. That's an expensive endeavor that you may find is not for you. Quantity should follow learning the basic.

As for a number of rounds fired before needing a progressive, that depends on the individual. I can load all I need on a single-stage press. Others, shooting 100s-1000s of rounds a month, definitely would need a progressive.

 

[CMD-KY]

I don't recommend learning to reload on a progressive. Some may, I don't. That's an expensive endeavor that you may find is not for you. Quantity should follow learning the basic.

As for a number of rounds fired before needing a progressive, that depends on the individual. I can load all I need on a single-stage press. Others, shooting 100s-1000s of rounds a month, definitely would need a progressive.

I agree, I started on and RCBS single stage, I am glad I did. I think I understand more about reloading and exactly what happens at each step, what I am seeing. I found that I liked it without dumping a lot of money in a drain.
Now with a progressive, I can actually take in what happens at the five stations with some confidence. I moved to a progressive due to time, not volume. I enjoy it even more now, it doesn't take so long that boredom sets in - boredom, in my experience, creates error.

 

[Cdog]

Where's that "wise old owl' when you need him?

I've owned and tried to make myself like a couple of different progressive (I hate the term) presses over the years.

For me, that number doesn't exist. I'm one of those folks that simply can't live with automation. Too anal and ocd. Been told I was worse than any "old woman".

I take no offense to it. It's true!

 

[blujax01]

... Just wanted to see what other members thought about the numbers of handgun rounds fired over what time period would warrant the purchase of a progressive press. ...

Uh, one?

 

[Wee Hooker]

HOPE THIS HELPS.

These are ADVERTISED QUANTITY RATES PER HOUR. DILLON MACHINES

SPEED should NEVER be your main concern with reloading.

From Brian Enos site,

DILLON SQUARE "D" 400-500 ROUNDS PER HOUR

DILLON RL 550-B 400-600 PER HOUR

DILLON XL 650 800-1000 PER HOUR

DILLON 1050 1000-1200 PER HOUR

I consider these per hour loading rates to be ADVERTISED RATES, and operating in a perfect world while reloading.

Not to beat up on the Blue Press but I wouldn't recommend the Square D at all. I owned a Dillon Square D and NEVER even broke 300/hr and was cost prohibitive and a PITA to change calibers. Finally got fed up and replaced it with a Lee Classic Turret. (My LCT turns out 175-200/hr at 1/2 the cost and 1/3 the aggravation. That's enough for me. )If you feel a Dillon is worth the investment for your needs, go straight to the better quality 550.

 

[blujax01]

IMG 0642 - YouTube

 

[nicky4968]

Even though I hand-weigh each and every charge, I find the Lyman Turret press (if you count that as a progressive) to be very useful. I only use it for pistol rounds.

For .30-30 and such, still a Lee Anniversary.

 

[cellllman]

Many eons ago I started reloading on a RCBS Rockchucker single stage. It was ok but not good enough if time is short and you need more than a few rounds. My second try was a Lee Pro 1000 progressive which worked well but nasty to change caliber. Now I have gone in between with a Lee Classic Turret Press and love it! Very sturdy, fairly quick but easy to keep an eye on things, and best of all if you put each set of dies on it's own turret changing calibers takes only a few minutes!
And if cost is a problem then Lee is a way to go. They certainly aren't as fancy as others but they get the job done very well.

 

[Stainless44]

Moving up to a progressive press is one of the most straight-up time vs money comparisons you will ever make.

I decided to buy a Hornady LNL progressive when I ramped up my shooting to the point where having a progressive would save me hours per week on the re-loading bench.

Rather than spend 2 hours per night in the garage on an auto-indexing turret I spent the money for a progressive and can spend less time on the bench and more time with my family. Everyone has their limit...it's just time versus money.

 

[longranger]

Just to many guns blown up by people making mistakes on progressive press' for me.I understand that about myself,I can get distracted and make a mistake. So over 40 years of reloading 27 different cartridges never so much as a single case with a double charge or no charge,which seems problematic with the progressive machines.I'll stick to my old reliable Rock Chucker and RCBS Turret press and keep my eyes,fingers and guns with no worries.

 

[blujax01]

Just to many guns blown up by people making mistakes on progressive press' for me.I understand that about myself,I can get distracted and make a mistake. So over 40 years of reloading 27 different cartridges never so much as a single case with a double charge or no charge,which seems problematic with the progressive machines.I'll stick to my old reliable Rock Chucker and RCBS Turret press and keep my eyes,fingers and guns with no worries.

Longranger, I disagree. I tried to purposefully lay a double charge with my 650, just to see how it happens.

I shook it, I half-jacked it, I stopped at the top of the stroke and wriggled, I stopped at the bottom of the stroke and wriggled. I put my right foot in, I put my right foot out.

The design is such that the powder drop snaps into battery and will not recharge without a full change in station. Period.

I could not make it double charge unless I took a charged case, pulled it out of the shell holder and ran it through again.

I can make it bypass the powder which results in an empty case. As can anyone who is not paying attention regardless of the press type.

Don't believe the Internet rumors.

 

[RussellD]

 

[blujax01]

Sunday Morning Funnies...

 

[Cdog]

For me it has nothing to do with time, money, or safety.

It's about quality. I'm at a point in life where I can afford any press or presses I choose.

I choose handcrafting with each round being processed by my hands.

I'm not anti-technology as I use power equipment for much of my case prep. I just handle each process individually. I'm old school precision with case prep being something I won't compromise.

I've been loading for about 25 years and I can't satisfy my personal standards with any press that produces a loaded round with each pull.

To those that look down on handcrafting using a Forster, Lee or any other single stage as a waste of time, that's fine. You see, I look at not producing the best round I can as a complete waste?

To those on the fence my advice is as follows: "Use the level of automation you're comfortable with and forget about other's opinions!"